Polar Regions News Roundup W/C 8th April 2024

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Polar Regions News

Your weekly Polar news roundup

Helping you stay informed of the latest developments in climate change, environmental conservation, scientific research, geopolitical dynamics, economic opportunities and indigenous rights in the Polar Regions.

8th April 2024

‘Simply mind-boggling’: world record temperature jump in Antarctic raises fears of catastrophe

Thousands of emperor penguin chicks drowned last year when the sea-ice broke up before they could fully fledge. Photograph: Fritz Polking/Gamma-Rapho/Getty Images

An unprecedented leap of 38.5C in the coldest place on Earth is a harbinger of a disaster for humans and the local ecosystem.

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Novatek looking to reduce Arctic LNG 2 scope due to sanctions

Arctic LNG 2 aims to produce 19.8 million tonnes per year of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Credit: Aunging/Shutterstock.com.

The company is shifting focus to its Murmansk project, which would benefit from ice-free port access in the Barents Sea.

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A23a: Tracking the world's biggest iceberg as it drifts towards oblivion

A23a iceberg. Credit: BBC

The world's biggest iceberg - more than twice the size of Greater London - is on the move. After a few weeks loitering on the fringes of Antarctica, it’s begun to drift at pace once more.

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All eyes on the ESA Arctic Weather Satellite

ESA Arctic Weather Satellite graphic

ESA’s new Arctic Weather Satellite has taken centre stage at OHB’s facilities in Stockholm, Sweden, before the spacecraft is packed up and shipped to California for a launch currently scheduled for June.

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Scientists investigate thousands of dead Antarctic penguins for bird flu

Researchers wearing protective suits collect samples of wildlife, where the H5N1 bird flu virus was detected, at Chilean Antarctic Territory, Antarctica, in this undated handout photo obtained by Reuters on March 13, 2024. Instituto Antartico Chileno/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

Has bird flu already killed hundreds, if not thousands of penguins in Antarctica?

That's what researchers are seeking to find out after a scientific expedition last month found at least 532 dead Adelie penguins, with thousands more thought to have died, according to a statement from Federation University Australia.

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Have you read our latest Polar Notes article? See below for the most recent publication on the APPG Polar Regions website.

Polar Note: The Blue Belt Programme and marine protection across the UK Overseas Territories

Penguin colony, South Georgia

Welcome to the 2024 Polar Notes series: our fortnightly feature looking at a current polar issue or topic of conversation in more depth.  

Our newest article, authored by guest expert, Kylie Bamford (Head of Marine Conservation for the UK Overseas Territories, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office), explores the UK Government’s flagship international marine conservation Programme, the Blue Belt, which works with a number of UK Overseas Territories (UKOTs) to assist them in creating and maintaining healthy and productive marine ecosystems.

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